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Flexible functionality partitioning within intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC systems

  • US 9,513,642 B2
  • Filed: 01/03/2012
  • Issued: 12/06/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An intelligent thermostat comprising:

  • a visible portion;

    a concealed portion onto which the visible portion mounts by sliding the visible portion onto the concealed portion; and

    subcomponents, wherein each of the subcomponents is associated with one or more intelligent-thermostat functionalities, the subcomponents comprising;

    a long-distance wireless communications module that interconnects the intelligent thermostat with remote computing facilities;

    a local wireless communications module that interconnects the intelligent thermostat with environmental-condition-system components;

    a plurality of infrared sensors comprising;

    a first infrared sensor configured to detect an occupant approaching the intelligent thermostat; and

    a second infrared sensor configured to detect a presence of the occupant regardless of whether the occupant is approaching the intelligent thermostat;

    a microprocessor that controls an interactive user interface and additional monitoring, analysis, and communications functions, and further controls a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system based at least in part an occupancy state of the home determined by the second infrared sensor;

    a microcontroller that controls low-power-consuming functions and wake-on circuitry;

    one or more environmental sensors that monitor an environment;

    a mechanical user interface;

    an optico-electrical user interface;

    a display driver;

    an electronic memory;

    a battery;

    power-management circuitry;

    power-supply circuitry; and

    wake-on circuitry that powers up the interactive user interface when the occupant approaching the intelligent thermostat is detected by the first infrared sensor.

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